By Jodie Evans and C.J. Minster
We are the 99 percent -- the vast majority who will no longer tolerate the greed and corruption of the 1% who hold all the wealth. CODEPINK has been in Wall Street camping out with other activists in Liberty Plaza because we know real change begins with direct action to challenge corporate greed and endless war. Though we face serious obstacles, we are committed to disarming the military industrial complex with humor and positive energy, both at this vibrant "American Tahrir Square" to Freedom Plaza in Washington DC starting Oct 6 for the tenth anniversary of the Afghan War to denounce war and demand funding for housing, jobs, healthcare, and education.
In Iraq, our military continues to inflame ethnic tension, and Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. The recent uptick in violence in Kabul provides a chilling reminder of the truth we've known all along: violence begets violence. The Afghanistan War is already the longest in U.S. history and neither Americans nor Afghans are safer today than we were ten years ago. The U.S. must stop propping up drug lords and war lords and bring our war $$ home. The international community must support real peace negotiations in Afghanistan, which includes women's equal involvement in the process. Let's stop pretending men with weapons represent the will of the people; we support real democracy.
We congratulate Obama for telling Congress it's time for the rich to pay their fair share and fund teachers and build bridges as part of the American Jobs Act, but there is trouble in the details -- we can't allow cuts to Medicare, and we all know the best way to save money is to cut military spending. Now that he finally appears to hear our call for change, we must push Obama to immediately end the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq.
CODEPINK: Women for Peace and people throughout the United States demand an immediate end to the wars. All troops and contractors must return to the United States and funds should be re-directed to life-affirming activities. Make Jobs, Not War -- it's as simple as that.
Onward towards nonviolent paradigm shifts.
Help us take the message from #OccupyWallStreet to the White House -- tell Obama to tax the rich and bring our war $$ home. And join us if you can!